Given below are two statements:Assertion (A): The solar radiation from the sun is balanced by the thermal radiations reflecting from the earth. The incoming solar radiation from the sun is independent. Reason (R): The outgoing thermal radiation depends on the earth's surface temperature and the presence of greenhouse gases, which absorb some of the thermal radiation. Choose the correct answer:

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The correct answer is Both (A) and (R) are true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A). Conceptual BreakdownAssertion (A) is True:This describes the Earth's Heat Budget. For the Earth's temperature to remain relatively stable over long periods, the amount of energy it receives from the sun (short-wave solar radiation) must be balanced by the amount of energy it sends back into space (long-wave thermal radiation). The "independent" part refers to the fact that the sun's energy output is not affected by what happens on Earth.Reason (R) is True:While incoming solar radiation is constant, the outgoing radiation is a "dependent" variable. It depends on:Surface Temperature: Warmer surfaces emit more thermal radiation.Greenhouse Gases: Gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap some of this outgoing heat, acting like a blanket.Why (R) explains (A):The reason explains the mechanism of the balance. The Earth maintains its thermal equilibrium (the balance mentioned in the assertion) specifically by adjusting its outgoing radiation based on its temperature and atmospheric composition. If greenhouse gases increase, the outgoing radiation is blocked, the Earth warms up, and eventually, a new balance is reached at a higher temperature.

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Both (A) and (R) are true, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

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(A) is true but (R) is false

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(A) is false but (R) is true

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JKPSC JKAS 2022 Prelims

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